Mail-distributing apparatus.



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WILLIAM BARRY, OF OSW'EGO, NEW YORK.

RAIL-DISTRIBUTDIG APPARATUS.

Bpedneah'on o! Letters Patent.

Patented Deo. 29, 1908.

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To all whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that I Wmuan Banni', a citizen of uw United states, mening`I at Oswego, county of Oswego, State of ew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Distributing Apparatus, a division of my apphcation Serial No. 699,859, filed December 20, 1898; and I do hereb declare the follo to be a full, clear, an exact descri tion the invention, such as will enabe others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to mechanism for distribu mail matter or analogous material or articles, and the objects and nature of the invention will be readily understood and apparent from the following description of the construction set forth as one example out of many within the scope of'tlns invention.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in arrangements of parte and in combinations and in details as more fully .and particularly set forth and specified hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings which merely illustrate one example out of many within the scope of m invention: Figure l is a partial vertical ongitudinsl sectional view of an apparatus for ceniying out the object of my invention, one o the controlling levers being shown depressed, the pack ingsp' beingshownonl monerowof boxes. l2., isI al sigan; aragon of the a aratus oo' at eo 'te sidi; thereof, thl arts be' shownpi'liozlhe sa me relative positions as m F' l, but sho different tes opened. 3, is a top p view of e apparatus. F1 4, is

a detail sectional view, somewhat e of the front rtion of the machine, showing only the row of the series of receptacles.

Fig. 5, is a vertical sectional view taken .in the planes of the line 5-5, Fig. l. Fi 6, is a sectional lan view taken on the e 6-6, 4. 7, is a vertical detailed section view t' en on the plane of the line 7--7, Fig. 4, all the levers being shown in their normal positions. F' 8, is a detail pers tive to more clearly illustrate how the ever slides operate on certain rockshafts.

It is now the practice in post oces in this country to face up and arrange mail before marking the same. The letters thus faced are then run through mail marking machines or stampled by hand for the purpose of afxing t e post mark and canceling the stamps. The marked mail matter is then carried to the distributin case and taken in charge by the sorting an distributing clerks who go over the same piece by piece m front of series of boxes or receptacles, each labeled for a certain city or route, and pitch the letters b hand into their various boxes so that all e letters for a certain route or city will be located in the same receptacle. The letters in euch receptacle are removed, tied topther and a printed slp placed thereon in eating the particular er who distributed the mail in the particular bundles.

M invention contemplates an apparatus whic will receive the mixed letters or other pieces ol' mail matter ater the have been aced up, wherein the individu letters can be taken from a common or single receptacle, source, bundle or pile and by rapidly moving mechanism distri uted to their proper individual boxes or receptacles.

In the s ecic construction shown in the drawings or the pu ose of describing the broad conceptions an features of my invention, a tier or case of boxes or receptacles is shown. This case of receptacles is shown arranged vertically and supported and carried by a suitable frame work, such as a;

The receptacles are a d in horizontal rows forming vertical series, as the receptacles are parallel and arranged one above the other in vertical series, as well as one beside the other in horizontal series. Each box is arranged horizontally and closed preferably at one end, and open at the other so that the letters in each box can be removed in s bundle when desired, and secured together as usual. The boxes are shown arranged in series, as previously described and a letter way or passage is provided for each of said series, and the series of letter ways or passages open to or communicate with a eneral or main letter way or passage aonlg1 which all the letters pass and from whic eac-l1 letter moves to or is directed into the proper box or branch passage, from which the letter is directed int-o the pro er box.

In the drawings, each vertice series of boxes is provided with its own letter passage or way arranged vertically beside the same. and each box has a longitudinal side opening. Thus in the example shown in Fig. l,

twenty four letter boxes or rece tacles are Shown with six vertical series of oxes, and six vertical letter passages or ways, each ope into the boxes o the particular series it eeds or supplies with letters. These letter wa s are indicated by 1, 2, 3, 4 5, 6, and the oxes of the first vertical series are indicated by A', B', C' D', as they belong to p way l, and e remainin vertical series of boxes are correspondingly indicated b the same series of re erence letters with tge number indicating the particular letter p e; 1 ways belonging thereto, thus the sccond series of boxes are indicated by A', Bs, C, and D, the third by A3, B, C, D, and so on. In the specic example shown, the general or main letter way or conveyer is arranged above the boxes and at the to of the case, the floor thereof being sust by the frame work of the case, and the upper ends of the vertical letter ways open through or terminate at said main way. The letters preferably are delivered transversely onto and move along said main way on their flat faces, and suitable tes, stops or strippers are provided at the ox or branch passages to direct each letter thereinto or to prevent entrance of the letter thereto and permit its movement to some p beyond. If desired, the floor of said mam way can be formed by the gates l', 2', 3', 4', 5', and each te can comprise a transverse rock or crank 8, horizontally mounted in the framework at one side of the upper end of the particular box or branch passa e, and carrying a series of ers extending aterally and forwardly there m in a direction opposite to that in which the letters move on the main wa These fingers of each gate are located a tance apart and normallv lie about horizontally so that all of said iin rs extend in the same direction, and the rs of the gates rest on the to floor of the case of boxes and between the ,rs of the next gate. The letters can easilv slide or move over the floor of lingers thus formed which is without obstructions to the passage of the letters when all of the gates are in their norma-l positions. The upper ends of the box or branch passage are preferably curved about as shown, to tilt the letters so that the letters can easily slide thereinto, and assume a vertical position therein when thc particular te is elevated. The letters enter said ranch or box passage and drop down therein 1n s vertical position on edge. The lower ends of said ways 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, are closed by curved dellectors or 'des D, at the side opemn of the bottom oxes D', D, D', D, an D', so that letters not entering the boxes abo ve will always be directed into the bottom boxes which in the specific construction shown do not need gates. Also in the specific construction shown the last branch or box p 6, of the series does not need seas?? a controlling gate but has a. stop, stri per or guide 6', to direct all letters whic have passed the length of the main way into said passage 6.

The box or branch passages have movable sto s, strippers, guides, deilectors or gates for eac box, excepting the bottom boxes. These ates are preferab y all alike but are all inicated in the dra. by dilierent reference characters to identify each gate with its particular passage and box, thus each gate is indicated by the number of its p and the letter of its box, and hence the gates to all the A boxes are 1A, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6A, and hence the remaining box gates are indicated according to the same system. Each box gate as shown, comprises a horizontal shaft 1*, (or 2, 2", etc., according to the particular gate) mounted transversely of the case at the lower end of the side opening from the branch letter e into the box, with ngers extending up therefrom to close said opening and normally rest out of the downward path of the letters in the age, so that when the gate is rocked sai lingers Wl!! extend across the way and enga the lower edge of the downwardly moving etter and detiect the letter from the way and into the box through its side opening. However various arrangements of gates and boxes can be employed and the letters can fall free by gravity alone to each box or forcible controlling or convl'ying means can be employed as hereinafter erred to and which as I am at present advised ly ex erience might be broadl preferred. t thus be observed that t e main way gates direct each letter into a particular branch assage wherein Oates determine the partie ar box that each fetter enters.

As will be hereinafter pointed out, suitable means are provided whereb the proper gates are actuated to pass eac letter into a particular and predetermined box. In the specific construction shown, each gate shaft o the main way and branch passage gates has an extends end provided with a crank and these cranks are operatively connected with certain operating and controlling means. The same system of reference characters is employed in indicating said crank arms. The mam gate wey crank arms are 1", 2", 3", 4", 5", and the branch passage gates are 1', 2', 3"', etc. or acco to the particular pas s e and box. All o these cranks are referab y arranged at the back of the case o boxes as more clearly shown in Fig. 2.

The frame of the apparatus as shown, is extended forwardly from the boxcase and at the top extends downwardly and forwardly to orm the main letter wa)l be ond the said gates of said way. At the ower front end of the main way a letter hopper, sup ort or receptacle is shown provided for the undle of mixed letters, although I may ccas?? Y not employ such a support, as the letters can one or more endless belts mounted on end be otherwise conveniently located. pulleys beneath and parallel with the pulleys Various constructions and devices can be 8S', and 88. The upper face oi the conprovided for this purpose if it be desired to veyer 89, eng an travels rearwardly s provide a holder for a bundle of letters, with the under inclined portion of the con- 70 though in the speciiic forni shown 'in the veyerSS, and said conveyerSQ, caribe driven drawings a sup o table or floor 10, is pro b fric-tional contact with the conve er 88. vided on whic the letters are piled with T e bite between the front ends of t e two their addressed faces upwardly and their ngaging conve ers is conveniently located 1o inner side edges restinga instt slower e at the front portion of the apparatus and pref- 7 5 tion of the iloor of sai main way. his

erably just above the pile of letters on the table is vertically movable and is maintained supiporting table. in an a proximately horizontal sition, and e operator can deliver by hand or suitin the wingsis shown carri by the parable mechanism (not shown) can be pro i allel links 11, 11, at the upper iront ends vided to deliver each letter into the bite beso pivotally joined to projections from said tween said tw'o conve ers which are properly table and at their lower rear ends pivotallv arranved to grip the etters and carry them joined to the frame-work so that as the tabl'e rapidly up t e inclined portion of the main moves upwardly it a proximatelly follows letter way and deliver the same onto the 2o the curvature of the oor or gui e against Boor composed of the main wey gates, along sa which the inner edges of the letters abut. which the letters are preferably rapidly This table is shown yieldingly upheld by any moved by the conveyor S8. Eac letter is suitable means, such as a we ht i2, condeflected downwardly from the main way nected with the table or a link y means of by an elevated gate, and discha d into a a cord passi over a pulley. V branc passage. The letters can all in the 9o An suitab e mechanism or device is robranch or box by gravity if desired vide to move carry or propel the indivi ual and be deecte into any predetermined box letters alo the main letter way so that they by an suitable means. can be switc ed oli into the roper branch or If esired means can be provided to posibox letter In t e construction tively move the letters in the branch passo shown the etters can be taken along the sages and hold them while moving in the de main way by a series of endless continuousl sired position. For instance, in the specific traveling belts 88. This conveyer exten example shown in the drawings, each branch the length oi said main letter way and is letter way is provided with a conveyer or composed oi a series of parallel separated force feed mechanism, each consisting of 100 plies or narrow belts moving between and alan endless continuouslyr o erating conveyer tei-hating with the lingers of the gates form- 90, extending longitudine y throughout the ing the lloor of said way, so that the gates passage and formed of several parallel sepaare free to rise and fall between the continurated narrow belts arranged between and alonsly moving belts to deilect the letters downternating with the lingers of the box ates or 105 wardly, and without interfering with the free deectors hereinbefore described so t t any movement of either the belts or the ingers. gate is {'ree to s through the conveyer The rearwardly moving under portions of and across the branc letter passage anddethese belts pass close over and longitudinally flect the letter into its particu ar box through of the main letter way so as to ositively the side opening thereof. The side of each 11o carry the letters along without f b fricconveyer next to the open sides of the boxes tional contact therewith or if desired t e letand their gates presses against the box sides ter e aging faces of the belts can be so and moves downwardly so as to grip the let form as to more forcibly catch and carry ter as it enters the upper end of the passage along each letter. At the front, the said and carry the ame orcibly by friction or 115 belts are deliected downwardly alo the otherwise by reason of the ressure oi the downwardly inclined front of the main etter belts against the letter. The oxes and gates way, the belts passing over an idler 88. At can be arranged in any suitable manner so the rear end of the main letter way, the said that the letters will be piled or stacked in conveyor belts pass around a drivi pulley eachbox in any desirable position. 12o v88* on a shaft mounted in suitable earings I show thc upper ends of the belts of each in the frame of the box case and rovide conveyor 90,passing around idlerpulleys 90, with an end driving pulley 88. e oppoarranged transversely across the upper end site portions of the endless belts pass around of the branch passage Lust below the main the pulley 88', carried by a shaft mounted in way gate and if desirs le mounted on the 125 any suite-ble and proper manner at the foishaftof said gate between the gate fingers. ward ortion oi the frame-work. The conveyor from thence extends through- 89 is a conveyer cooperating and parallel out the length o the branch passage and with the downwardly inclined front portion through and below the open end thereof, and

66 of the main conveyor 88, and composed of at its lower end passes around a driving pul- 130 ley 90', on a shaft 90. The series of shafts 90', beneath the res .et-ive branch passages, aie shown mounts in and transversely of the bottom of the frame, and are all geared to and driven by a longitudinal shaft 91.

92 is a driving belt extenda? from a ulley on the rear shaft 902, upward y to an driving the pulley 88, and consequently actuatthe main conve er.

he various en ess conveyors shown in the example illustrated are preferably all continuously actuated at a comparatively high rate of speed, and drivi means from any suitable source can be applied by any desirable means to any one of said shafts to actuate the various belts and other driven mechanism.

Various arrangements of controlling and actuating mechanisms can be employed to set various gates to deposit each letter, taken from the common source, at a particular point box or rece tacle of a series. ln the specic example own in the drawings, a key is provided for each box or receptacle. The bank of keys is coni ed of a series of keys in number ual to e number of boxes or receptacles an each key is provided with i the bail and thereby swings the bail to one characters or printed matter indicating the l'lrticular box to which it corres onds. us in following out the stem o indieating characters adopted, t twenty four keys corresponding to the twenty four recepteclas shown, are, respectively, indicated by the same indicating characters. Thus the keys are indicated b A', B', C', D', A, Bf, C', D, etc. which a indicate the boxes. The of keys is shown arranged in steps and is preferably located beyond the front end of the machine beneath and projecting outwardly be ond the plane of the common pile of mixed etters so that the operator can sit or stand in ront of the machine and look down on the keys and also look down on the top-most letter of said ile and thereby easily and quickly read t e address of the top-most letter, and depress the key corresponding to the box in which said letter belongs, and then place the letters in the bite between the front portions of the conveyers, or on the front end of the main letter way. It should be noted that the ke s and top-most letter of the ile are Within t e iield of vision or view of t e operator so that he can almost simultaneously see the address and pro er key. All of the key levers are preferab y mounted at their inner or rear ends loosely on a shaft 52, extending transveisely of the front of the machine and between and secured to the forwardly projecting side frames thereof. All the levers extend horizontally and forwardly from their fulcrum points in approximately the same plane, with their front ends bent upwardly and carrying the keys which are provided with any suitable indicating characters 'ag bail ha vertical upwardly extending ends beyYd-nl the series of key levers and at their u r ortions at 56' pivoted to the arms 54.

- ail extends beneath all of the key levers and has the beveled up er edge 57. The bail is usually maintains in its normal up right position by suitable means, such as springs 5S secured to its extended upper ends. Each key lever has a downward pro- `ection 58' above the beveled e of the ail and each projection has an in face terminating in an upwardly facing shoulder 59, leaving ample space between the shoulder and the lower edge of the key lever to receive the bail 56. The arrangement is such, that when a key lever is depressed the beveled projection 58', on the beginning of the downward movement engages the beveled edge of side and permits it to swing back over the short shoulder 59, of the projection thereby locking the key lever in its depressed position while the bail limits the downward movement of the ke lever. The keyis thus l held depressed or ocked until the instant another key is depressed when the same operation is repeated and the locked key is released at the very of the downward movement of the second lever and allowed to return to its normal osition under the impulse of a spring and be ore the lever being` depressed has moved but a slight distance.

The key levels are yieldingly held up to their normal position by suitable springs, such as springs 6G, secured to the frame with their u ward y springing free ends enga'ng the un er edges of the key levers. Each ey lever is provided with a slide 61, operated thereby. The vertical series of separate slides 61, are shown vertically arr ed at the front portion of the machine, eac with its lower end pivotally 'oined to its ke lever at a point to one side o the fulcrum t ereof.

The upper ends of the slides are all prefer impulse of one of the slides without thereby causins ovmward movement of the remailling des andsaid rod 2, formsa guide for the slides. Each slide 61, 1s designed to ,t o rate or control 'mechanisms which will direct the letter, when its key 1s depressed to the particular box correspondingl tn an indicated by said key. Various mec amsms can be provided for this purpose.

Each ke controls a mam etter way gate andalsoa x 1mg gate,exceptthatthe keys corresponding to the D boxes do not o te box gates, and the keys corresponding to boxes A', B. C, D, do not 1e actuate a main way gate. The reasonfor this is apparent, as no gates are require for the boxes of the bottom row, lnor for the -last branch passage from the main wa It might be also rnotel)i that the key corres ndmg' to ox operates no gates at alLpoHowever my invention is not limited in these respects as other arra ments of boxes or letter moving and contro mechanisms might require other arrangements of 25 gates or even dispense with ates, as my mvention is not limited to t e employment of such, although I prefer them as at present advised from practical tests.

In the dra s the specific means, dis closed for contro' the gates comgsrses a vertical series of transverse rock sha B A, 5f, 4,3,2, 1*. The rock shafts are mounted at their ends in the sides of the frame, and are preferably all located lu a vertical plane parallel with and close to the plane of the vertical slides 61, and yet so that each rock shaft extends transversely of all the slides. At the side of the machine, each rock shaft has a crank arm connected by a suit able wire or other connection with certain of the gate cranks and said connections are shown clearly in 2, arranged at the back of the box case. prefer in the arrangement of boxes shown, to connect the box or gate cranks together in horizontal series as shown in Fig. 2, so that all the A, B, or C, box gates will open and close together respectively. This can be done without interfering with the proper placing 50 of the letters, as the main way gates prevent the letter entering any branch passage except the particular one opening into the par-l ticular box corresponding to the key lever degressed. he crank 1*, of rock shaft l', is connected b a wire or the like to crank l", of gate 1'. ank 2, of the rock shaft 2, is connected to crank 2", ofgate 2'; crank 3*, of rock shaft 3*, to crank 3, of gate 3'; crank 4, of rock shaft 4*, to crank 4", of gate 4'; and crank 5, of rock shaft 5, to crank 5" of gate 5'. It will thus be observed that these five rock shafts just mentioned control the five main way letter gates. The other three rock ce shafts are, respectively, connected to cond shaft C, is actuated by trol the etes of the rows of A, B, and C, boxes. hus the crank A", of the rock shaft A, connects to the series of cranks 1" 2", 3*', 4*', 5", 6". Thus the rock controls the ates of the A boxes and must be actuated y each of the six keys corresHtemding to said boxes. The crank B', of t rock shaft B, in the same wg connects with thesix cranks of the gates of eB boxes, viz., l" 2b',3b, 4b', b', 6b', and hence each one of the six keys correspond' to said B boxes must actuate the rock sh B. The crank C', of the rock shaft C, connects with the series of cranks 1', 2', 3', 4', 5c', 6', of the gates of the C boxes and the rock all the keys corresponding to the C boxes.

Various means can be employed to cause the slides of the key levers to operate certain rock shafts without operating the remaining rock shafts. This can be conveniently done b sexies of dierently arranged proections.

us the rock shafts are formed wit or arms 67, rig-lid therewith and rojectmg toward the sli es 6l, and no y about horizontal. The edges of said flan es are all slotted or notched to receive all t e respective slides. Each slide has one or more cross 68, Vd therethrough and arrange on the ange or arm of the rock shaft which it is to operate. Hence when the slide is forced down it slides through the flanges or arms which it does not operate but the pin or pins 68 thereof depress the flange or fla es which it should operate and hence rocks t e shaft or shafts thereof and o ns through the medium o the pull connections hereinbefore the roper ates cran an( described.

All of the slides connected with the keys representing the boxes, excepting the keys representing the boxes of the bottom and end rows, have two pins to operate two rock shafts and hence open the proper main way gate and branch passage gate. Hence one of said slides has one pin to depress one of the upper five flanges or arms 67, which aetuate main we. gates, and also a pin to operate one of t e lower three flan es to ac; tuate the roper box gate. The 'des connected Wit keys corresponding to the bottom boxes (excepting box D) have only one sin 68, each to o erate on one of the upper ve flanges whic control main way gates. The slide connected with the key correspondngtob0xD,hasnopins, asnogatesareactuated thereby. The slides connected with the keys corresponding to boxes A, B', C", have only one pin 68, each operatingl on the three lower flanges, respectively, w ich actuate the box gates.

Sprn devices 33, are usually employed to return t e box gates to their norma positions, and to hol the same yieldingly closed,

as shown in Fi 2. As the main way gates 130 swing u wardl in opening, avit is usually suffieiont tg close them, sthoug closing devices can be em loyed if desirable.. 1n the specific exam le s own in the drawings, the letters pass own the branch letter ways in an u ht position with their long edges usu y arranged horizontally. The lower long edge of a downwardly moving letter enany box gate which is swung open and e letter is hence guided and de ected into the box in its position on edge. The force and pressure a plied to the letters by the branch passageiielts is sucient to staclrthe letters 1n the boxes in the upright position.

Suitable means can be provided to hold the letters t ther and in the upright position in theoixesl.l dForl instance, I show ht ansive oo e vo nte 70, in t e hoerige with the followers cssrrie by the free ends of the pressed lightly toward the open sides :fthe xes. As the number of of mail matter increases in any box, these very light springs are compressed, and the letters are forced into the boxes by the branch passage conveyor belts. However, as hereinbefore stated, my invention is not limited in this regard as the parts can be arranged to deposit the letters in the boxes in any suitable -tion or manner. In the specific exam shown in the drawings, the inner long of the letters piled on the supporting ta le rest against the downward continuation 7, of the main way from the main way conveyors, and it is only necessary to move the top-most letter of the pile a short distance up said portion 7, of the main way' to enable the mein Way conveyors to grip the letter and carry the same along the main way. The top-most letter of the pile can be rapidi and easily pushed up said portion 7, t s ort distance necessary before the letter enters the conveyers by hand or otherwise. The operator usually notes the address of the top-most letter of the pile and p the key corresponding to the box in which the letter should be deposited, and then causes the letter to be taken up by the main letter way conveyer. The previously set gates deflect the letter from the main way into the articular branch passage, and deiiect the etter from the branch passage into the particular box.

It should be noted; that the term letters em loyed herein rers generally to mail ma ter of any sort, kind or condition which 'any apparatus, within the spirit and scope of In invention is adapted to receive and han e. It should also be noted that various mechanisms can be added to the a paratus illustrated, or can be taken from t apparatus illustrated without departing from the spirit and sco of my invention.

The invention is not limited to a case or series of boxes, as the letters can be delivered to various predetermined points or locations, whether such various locations be in the l'orm of compartments, receptacles, boxes, repositories or holders for the letters or otherwise.

The main wa gates break jointswith each other or over ap in the speciiic example illustrated, and the fingers preferably taper or are formed of thin material so as not to reject far above the top walls of the case of iioxes on which said rest. Hence if the belts should press very thin letters down between the fingers the letters would engbage and rub along on snaid top face of the ox case without engaging interrupting obstructions. If desired the walls at the rear side of the upper end of each branch p can have slots therein which the rear ends of the ers can enter when a gate is elevated.

t is obvious that various c might be made in the forms, constructions and arrangements of the parts described without departing from the s irit and scope of m 'invention, althouvh or the sake of ma 'ng clear the broad features of invention n volved in this case, I have described details of construction in the example shown with great exactness, but I do not wish to limit nivself to such examples as shown but con- Sider myself broadly entitled to all structures` fa within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Hav' thus fully described my invention what I c aim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is;-

l. A mail distributing ep aratus comprising series of rece tacles ving passages thereto J continuou y moving friction letter conveying means for carrying the letters successively from a common source and delivering them separately to predetermined receptacles, letter directing devices, and series of controlling mechanisms corresponding to and indicating the various receptacles and controlling said devices to each letter to a receptacle indicated by e particular controlling mechanism actuated.

2. A mail distributing apparatus comprising a holder for the common pile of mixed letters, continuously moving letter conveying means, distributing mechanism, and manually operated controlling means for said mechanism, substantially as described.

3. In an ap aratus for distributing individuai pieces o mail matter from a common source into predetermined boxes or receptacles of a. case or sexies, a letter support at said common source continuously moving friction conveying belts, letter directin mechanisms, and series of manually operate controlling means corresponding to the respective boxes and determining the box to which each letter is directed, substantially as described.

4. In combination, in a mail distributing machine, a case or series of boxes or receptacles for mail matter, series of o to said boxes, continuously moving friction conve er belts for feeding letters into any one o said opeuings,and controlling mechanism to cause discharge of each letter into any predetermined opening. n

5. In combination, in a mail distributing machine, a caso or series of boxes having letter receiving openings thereinto, in combination with a continuously moving main letter way conve er arranged to discharge letters thereto, su stantiall as described.

6. In an apparatus of t character described, a case or series of boxes or receptacles, each box having a side ingress opening for a piece of mail matter and an open end for egress of the pile of mail matter in the box and continuously moving conveying means for directing pieces of mail matter through said side openings i to the boxes, substantiillly as described.

'a'. Am distributing ap aratus comprisingA continuously moving etter conveying means constructed and arranged to take the individual pieces of mail matter from a common source an distribute them to various predetermined points, letter directing mechanisms, and controlling means acting on said mechanisms to determine the particular point to which each ieee of mail matter is c elivered, substanti y as described.

8. An apparatus for receiving letters from a common source and individually delivering them at various predetermined points comprising letter ways friction belt letter conveyors ,independent letter directing gates, and independent controlling devices for operating the gates to determine the delivery point of each letter.

9. In a mail distributing machine, in combination, continuously moving conveyors letter conveyers, directing mechanisms sai conveyor mechanisms constructed an ard to successively take individual pieces of mail matter from a common source, and distribute the same to various points or lo cations, and a series of key levers, indicating the various points of distribution, and acting mechanisms and predeteron said directing mining the destination of each piece of mail matter, substantially as described.

l0. In combination, in a mail distributing apparatus, continuously moving friction letter conveyors arranged to receive the letters successively from a common source and deliver the same at various locations, series of letter directing means and series of controlling devices for sai means, whereby said means are controlled to deliver the letso ters at various predetermined locations, substantially as described.

11. In combination, in a mail distributing apparatus, series of separate letter depositorics, a continuously moving letter conas veyer belt receiving the letters successively from a common source and delivering the whereby to a predetermined depository, substantially as described.

l2. ln a mail distributor, the combination of series of letter boxes having letter openings, an endless belt friction letter conveyer common to all of said openings and arranged to discharge letters into any one of them, and sorting and controlling means sorting and determining thpplarticular opening into which each letter s be discharged.

13. In a mail distributer the combination of means for individu y distributing the pieces of mail matter, a case of letter boxes havin letter passages thereto, and a continuo moving letter conveyor coinmon to all t e p and receiving the letters successively from a common source, and controlling means, substantially as de scribed.

i4. In a mail dstributer, the combination of series of letter boxes, continuously operati letter conveycrs arranged the etters from a common source and deliver the same to said boxes, and controlling devices whereb each letter is delivered to a predetermined ox.

15. A series of letter receiving receptacles, letter passages communicating therewith,

tes at the receiving ends of said pissage, and a continuously moving friction lt le ter conveyer common to all said passages and so formed that any gate can move through the path of movement thereof and deflect the letter therefrom into the articular amagmsubstantiallyxas describ i6. n an apparatus of t e character described, a series of boxes, a lettelpassage beside the same and opening into the boxes, fingered gates for d in the pes, and endless continuo moving etter moving belts arranged longitudinally of the passages and alternating with the ingers of the gates, substantially as described.

17. in combination, series of boxes having a passage communicating thercwith,and endless continuously moving letter forcing belts longitudinally of the passage, substantially as described.

18. In a mail distributor, thc combination of series of boxes .having pass s thereto, an endless letter conveyor above the boxes to move the letters, and means to deposit each letter therefrom into a articular passage, substantially as doscri 19. 1n combination,

a row of letter boxes having ingress openings, an endless letter conveyer moving past said openings, and controlling means provided with manually operating actuating devices, whereby the particular box into the boxes arran in 'a mail distribuer,

Vzo

which cach letter is delivered is predoterpulleys,

mined, substantially' as described.

20. In combination, in a mail distributing apparatus, mechanism for moving the I et-g ters from a common source and delivering i the same to various predetermined pointsl comprising a series of parallel separated; continuously moving belts, series of gates having fingers alternating with the belts; and arranged to move out between them to intercept a letter and orally therefrom, and controlling ineclian-l isms, substantially as described.

21. In combination, in a mail distributing l apparatus, series of letter boxes having letter receiving openings, a. main letter way, an endless continuously moving conveyer veyer cooperating with said first mentioned l conveyer, and mechanism determining the articular box to which each letter is to be elivered, said letters being all received at a common point by said tivo belts, substantially as described. f, 22. In combination, in a. mail distributing apparatus, series of letter boxes, a. ina-in let-- over said way, a short endless moving coni i ter way above the same and extended at one i end thereof, a letter support at said end, an endless continuouslv moving conveyer at said end, an endless continuouslyr moving conveyor extending through the length of said way and along said irst mentioned convevcr, and letter directinv gates having controlling means, substantially as described.

23. In combination, in a mail distributing apparatus, series of letter boxes arranged in rows with letter passages beside the ron-s, respectively, eontinuouslv moving letter conveying means arrange:

any box, means to deliver the letters to any and cont-rolling mechanisms any letter is to be delivered, substantially as described.

24. In combination ously moving letter conveying devices,

indicating the boxes, respectively, and operal tively connected with and controlling said 5,

continuously moving letter conveyors, and i series of letter controlling mechanisms, substantially as described.

26. In a mail distributi o' t e plass dma y o said passages and engaging said o l l longitudinally m z,

each passage, gates arranged to intercept 5 the letters therein and deflect the same into l i preetermining the particular box into iv nch i in a mail distributing apparatus, series of letter boxes, continu-5 letter directing gates, series of manually operated actuating mechanisms corresponding to and g apparatus, in combination, series of letter oxcs arranged i in rows with intervening letter passages c ening into the boxes, pulleys at the ends of E es, endless belts arranged longitumeans for driving said belts, letter directing means, and means for delivering letters into said passages.

27. A mail distributing apparatus comprising letter boxes having letter receiving openings, a continuously moving letter coni veycr common to all of said boxes, and separate manually o erateil controlling means whereby a letter rom said mover can be delivered to an box,substantiallyasdescribed. deflect the saine latveycr movable above said boxes, means determining the particular box to which a letter from said conveyer is delivered, and man uiilly operated controlling devices for and corresponding to said means, substantially ns described.

29. A mail distributing ap aratus comprising a row of letter receptac es having letter receiving openings, a continuously moving letter conveyor arranged to deliver letters to any of said openings, and means independcnt of the passage of the letters controlling the delivery points of the letters, substantialh as described.

30. A mail distributing apparatus comprising a series of letter receptacles, a continuously moving endless friction letter conveyor, means controlling the delivery of letters from said conveyer to any one of said receptacles and manually operated controllers controlling said means, substantially as described.

3l. A series of letter boxes having a pasf sage communicating therewith, a. continuously moving letter forcing belt arranged longitudinally of the ass e, and means cooperating with the be tan deter the particular box to which each letter sh be delivered, substantially as described.

32. In combination, a plurality of letter receptacles, a continuously mo friction belt letter conveyor arranged a ve the same, means causing delivery of each letter from said mover to any one of said receptacles, and manually o rated movable ele. ments controlling sait means, substantially as described.

33. In an apparatus for distributing mail matter, the combina-tion of several series of letter receptacles, series of continuously moving leiter conveying devices, arranged to convey the individual pieces of mail matter from a common source and distribute the same to predetermined receptacles, series of means determinin the delive point of each letter, and control ing devices or said means, substantially as described.

34. Au apparatus for distributing mail' matter, wherein the individual ieces are received from a common source an delivered at various predetermined points of delivery, comprising continuously moving letter conveying means, movable devices controlling the delivery point of the individual pieces, and controlling means for said mova le devices constructed and arranged to return each movable device toits normal position on the operative stroke of a controlling device, substantially as described. D

35. An apparatus for distributmg mail mattei-com risingseries of receptacles, manually contro ed mail matter directing means, and continuotsl moving letter conv belts individu y receiving the pieces o mail matter from a common source and distributing the same to predetermined receptacles, substantially as described.

36. In an ap aratis for distributing mail matter the com ination of series of receptacles, continuously moving belts for conveying individual pieces of matter, and devices ctilperated indefpendently of the movement of e matter or individually directing the ieces of mail matter and insuring the devery thereof to predetermined receptacles, substantially as described.

37. In an apparatus for distributing mail matter, mechanisms to receive the pieces of inail matter at a common source and distribute the same individually to various predetermined points of delivery, comprising continuously mo friction letter conv ing belts, substantiaily as desc 'bed.' ey

38. A mail distributing machine having continuously moving letter conv means for successively recei the in vidual pieces of mail matter an separatel mov'- ingthesametoan letter assagean toany lette! receptacle a Ong B11 1 l u i 39. A mail distribu machine compliaing a main letter wa an branch letter pas sa es provided wit continuously moving friction belt conveyer means for moving the letters along the main letter way and in the branch letter passages.

40. A mail distributing apparatus compris letter conveying and manually controll m for distributing individual pieces of mail matter from a common source to various predetermined boxes or receptacles of a series, said mechanisms comprising a continuously moving endless letter conveyer.

In testimon whereof I ax my signature, in presence o two wit WILLIAM BARRY.

Witnesses:

Guo. E. Fancn, HUBERT E. PEGI. 

